Gender dysphoria and multiple co-occurring psychiatric issues: Compare and contrast

Abstract

Adolescents with gender dysphoria may present with co-occurring mental health concerns such as mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and self-injurious behaviors. Co-occurring mental health problems pose multiple complexities when evaluating gender dysphoria and for treatment planning. The current World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care recommends that co-occurring mental health concerns should be "reasonably well controlled" before accessing medical services, but it's left to the clinician to determine what reasonably well controlled may mean. These cases will explicate the importance of a nuanced assessment and support for adolescents with co-occurring mental illness.